Evergreen MxPRO 200 - Intel Pentium MMX 200 MHz processor

Advantages: power boost is good
Disadvantages: only good value if other components can keep up

...So if you're still using a 75, 90, 100, 120, 133, 166 or 200MHz Pentium PC, this Spectra 333 upgrade may be just what you're after. It can upgrade your system to a 333MHz AMD K6-2 processor, with MMX and 3DNow! instructions. It's not quite a simple case of plug and play with the Spectra 333, though. First you must run the installation software, which will tell you what motherboard and processor you're currently using. It'll then tell you if you need to change your motherboard bus speed settings - you need 66MHz for the full 333MHz performance - and advise you if there's a suitable/necessary BIOS upgrade or patch on the CDROM that's included with the chip. Once you've done all that, you simply remove the old processor, replace it with the Spectra 333 package and you're away. The performance difference is not subtle - in almost all... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Reliable
Disadvantages: Cost? ( see opinion )

...I've had "PC Compatible" computers since 1993, starting with an Intel 25mhz processor before switching to AMD processors - which was mainly down to cost - going up to an AMD K5 200mhz. I switched back to Intel in 1998 with a Celeron 300mhz which I immediately overclocked to 450mhz, and which is still running today at 465mhz without a hitch. I now have an Intel PIII 600mhz which I run at 800mhz for daily use, and which can run at 850mhz without any problems, even when playing processor intensive games. I called this opinion "More for your money" because of the only recently publicised practice of overclocking, which if you consider the cost differential between the processor you buy and the equivelant cost of the one you would need to attain the "overclocked" speed, is quite significant. I therefore think that in my case the overpriced... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Cheaper, more enhancements,
Disadvantages: None

...Pentium 4 or AMD? The answer,in my opinion, is always going to be AMD. Firstly they cost a lot less than their pentium equivalents, costing from £10-£200 pound less. AMD incoperates both its own "3dnow" processor enhancement and Pentiums MMX enhancement whereas pentium only include MMX. Sure you have heard about the new proccessor enhancements used by the Pentium 4 but the truth is that software programmers have only really got to grips with pentiums last effort. The enhancements will do no good if no programs supports them. I used to have a pentium processor but found the cost of replacing them when they were too slow was too much. I thought it could do me no harm to try an AMD and have been hooked ever since. I own only a 700MHZ processor and can play all the games I want at all the resolutions I want. All I can say to you out... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful